VSNL eyeing DTH services

Plans are also afoot to enter into equity relationships with content providers, including broadcasters, to put in place a DTH platform. VSNL has the requisite infrastructure to offer DTH services and the Ku band earth stations operating from New Delhi, Chennai and Calcutta are being deployed for DTH applications.

On the issue of VSNL setting up a platform for DTH broadcasting in alliance with other partners, officials indicated that the long distance carrier would be open to the idea of entering into equity relationships for putting in place a DTH platform. However, the company was awaiting more clarity in government guidelines relating to DTH before announcing its foray.

The government had earlier thrown open DTH broadcasting to private sector with 49 per cent foreign equity cap and sectoral cap of 20 per cent for broadcasters and cable network companies.

The Prasar Bharati Board is also in the process of setting up a DTH platform. Talks are currently on in this regard with several non-broadcasters, including telecom companies. The Zee group, the Chennai-based Sterling group have already announced plans to launch a DTH platform.